CHAPTER 122
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR HEARING AID SPECIALISTS
645—122.1(154A) Definitions. For the purpose of these rules, the following definitions will apply:
“Active license” means a license that is current and has not expired.
“Approved program/activity” means a continuing education program/activity meeting the standards set forth in these rules.
“Audit” means the selection of licensees for verification of satisfactory completion of continuing education requirements during a specified time period.
“Continuing education” means planned, organized learning acts designed to maintain, improve, or expand a licensee’s knowledge and skills in order for the licensee to develop new knowledge and skills relevant to the enhancement of practice, education, or theory development to improve the safety and welfare of the public.
“Hour of continuing education” means at least 50 minutes spent by a licensee in actual attendance at and completion of an approved continuing education activity.
“Inactive license” means a license that has expired because it was not renewed by the end of the grace period.
“Independent study” means a subject/program/activity that a person pursues autonomously that meets standards for approval criteria in the rules.
“License” means a license issued by the state to a hearing aid specialist.
“Licensee” means any person licensed to practice as a hearing aid specialist in the state of Iowa.
[ARC 7818C, IAB 4/17/24, effective 5/22/24]
645—122.2(154A) Continuing education requirements.
	122.2(1) The biennial continuing education compliance period extends for a two-year period beginning on January 1 of each odd-numbered year and ending on December 31 of the next even-numbered year. Each biennium, each person who is licensed to practice as a hearing aid specialist in this state is required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education. A minimum of two hours will be in the content areas of Iowa hearing aid specialist law and rules, or ethics. Continuing education hours cannot be carried over to the next biennium.
	122.2(2) Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses. Continuing education hours acquired anytime from the initial licensing until the second license renewal may be used.
	122.2(3) Hours of continuing education credit may be obtained by attending and participating in a continuing education activity.
	122.2(4) The licensee is responsible for the cost of continuing education.
[ARC 7818C, IAB 4/17/24, effective 5/22/24]
645—122.3(154A,272C) Standards.
	122.3(1) General criteria. A continuing education activity that meets all of the following criteria is appropriate for continuing education credit if the continuing education activity:
	a. 	Is an organized program of learning fundamental to the practice of the profession that contributes directly to the professional competency of the licensee;
	b. 	Is conducted by individuals who have specialized education, training and experience in the subject matter of the program;
	c. 	Fulfills stated program goals, objectives, or both; and
	d. 	Provides proof of attendance including:
	(1)	Date, place, course title, presenter(s);
	(2)	Number of program contact hours; and
	(3)	Certificate of completion or evidence of successful completion of the course provided by the course sponsor.
	122.3(2) Specific criteria. Continuing education hours of credit may be obtained by completing the following in person or virtually:
	a. 	Academic coursework if the coursework is offered by an accredited postsecondary educational institution. The maximum number of continuing education hours of credit for academic coursework per biennium is 15 hours with:
	b. 	1 academic semester hour = 15 continuing education hours; and 1 academic quarter hour = 10 continuing education hours.
	c. 	A maximum of four hours of credit may be obtained by independent study. Independent study hours are subject to the requirements stated in the rules in this chapter and in 645—Chapter 4.
	d. 	Attending programs or conferences or business, technical, or professional seminars that enhance a licensee’s ability to provide quality hearing health care services.
	e. 	Mandatory reporter training as specified in 645—subrule 121.9(4). Hours reported for credit shall not exceed the hours required for compliance.
[ARC 7818C, IAB 4/17/24, effective 5/22/24]
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 272C.2 and chapter 154A.
[Filed 8/18/00, Notice 5/17/00—published 9/6/00, effective 10/11/00]
[Filed 5/8/02, Notice 3/6/02—published 5/29/02, effective 7/3/02]
[Filed 8/5/05, Notice 5/25/05—published 8/31/05, effective 10/5/05]◊
[Filed 12/11/08, Notice 9/24/08—published 1/14/09, effective 2/18/09]
[Filed ARC 9424B (Notice ARC 9317B, IAB 12/29/10), IAB 3/9/11, effective 4/13/11]
[Filed ARC 1005C (Notice ARC 0792C, IAB 6/12/13), IAB 9/4/13, effective 10/9/13]
[Filed ARC 2151C (Notice ARC 2044C, IAB 6/24/15), IAB 9/16/15, effective 10/21/15]
[Filed ARC 3559C (Notice ARC 3409C, IAB 10/25/17), IAB 1/3/18, effective 2/7/18]
[Filed ARC 7818C (Notice ARC 7484C, IAB 1/10/24), IAB 4/17/24, effective 5/22/24]
◊	Two or more ARCs